Investigation prompts firing, outside probe
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department fired a civilian supervisor Friday after an internal investigation concluded he used the department’s automated license plate reader system for personal reasons, officials said.
Authorities identified the former employee as Nick Barker, who served as a criminal intelligence analyst supervisor. Investigators say Barker repeatedly searched his ex-wife’s license plate through the department’s Flock system several times during months in 2025. The department said those searches violated policy, which forbids using the reader system for non-official, personal purposes.
State agency to conduct independent criminal review
Following the initial findings, the department asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to open an independent criminal investigation. Simultaneously, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards is conducting an administrative review, officials said.
"Trust is the foundation of our relationship with the community we serve, and there is no greater responsibility than protecting that trust. I am deeply disappointed by the former employee's actions and their impact on the confidence our community places in this department,"
The statement from Police Chief Jerry Saulters emphasized the importance of accountability and pledged a comprehensive review of the department’s use of Flock technology.
What the department found and next steps
- The department received a complaint from the employee’s ex-wife, prompting an immediate internal probe.
- Investigators determined Barker conducted multiple searches of the ex-wife’s vehicle tag over several months in 2025.
- Barker was terminated after the internal review’s initial findings.
- The GBI will investigate for potential criminal violations while the department pursues administrative action.
Local context and implications
Automated license plate readers, often run by technologies such as Flock Safety, are used by police agencies to assist investigations and locate stolen vehicles. Their deployment has drawn scrutiny nationwide over privacy, oversight and the potential for misuse.
For Athens-Clarke County residents, the case raises questions about internal controls, who can access sensitive data and how the department audits that access. Chief Saulters said the department will examine procedures governing the technology to ensure adherence to policy and to safeguard public trust.
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| 2025 (several months) | Alleged repeated searches of ex-wife's plate using Flock system |
| Thursday (date of complaint) | Complaint received from ex-wife; internal investigation opened |
| Friday | Employee terminated; GBI requested to investigate; Office of Professional Standards opened administrative review |
The department did not release additional operational details about the number of searches, exact dates, or whether any information obtained through the searches was used in official actions. Officials also did not immediately say whether the former employee faces criminal charges; that determination will depend on the GBI review.
Community advocates and privacy watchdogs often press for strict access controls, logging and independent audits of license plate reader data. Those safeguards, proponents say, are necessary to prevent precisely the kind of alleged misuse cited by Athens-Clarke County police.
Chief Saulters’ statement framed the incident as a breach of the public’s trust and said the department will continue to hold personnel to rigorous standards of integrity. The GBI investigation will determine whether any criminal statutes were violated.
As the inquiries proceed, residents and privacy advocates in Athens-Clarke County are likely to ask for clear information about how the Flock system is governed, who has access, and what steps the department will take to prevent future misuse. The Office of Professional Standards and the GBI did not provide timelines for their reviews.
